Blake McIver, the former child star who played Waldo in The Little Rascals and had a recurring role on Full House, has returned to the scene in a big way. With his appearance on Bravo’s The People’s Couch camearticles touting that the former munchkin was now all grown up—and quite the looker.

And, it turns out, an out-and proud gay man. “It was totally cool. I came out a few years ago—to zero fanfare,” McIver tells NewNowNext in an exclusive interview.

Transitioning from a child star to an adult actor wasn’t as traumatic for Blake as it has been for others, but there were still bumps in the road: Being famous at a young age is a burden when you’re trying to get casting directors to see you as a romantic lead: “When I turned 18, going to college and trying to act professionally—it was almost impossible,” he explains. “I wasn’t quite old enough to get that picture out of people’s minds. I did a lot of voiceover work through high school—animated series like Recess and Hey Arnold. But I really left that to go to college—I sort of ’disappeared’ into school.”

The former UCLA theater major has kept his talents sharp—and not just acting. He regularly sings at Los Angeles haunts like the Mint and Cafe Was, and continues to record new music. His original composition, “It Gets Better,” was both a personal anthem and a contribution to Dan Savage’s It Gets Better campaign. “The outpouring of love has been great,” McIver says. “People’s reaction to the song has really been wonderful.”

And now Blake has released his newest song, “Wish I Didn’t Need You,” off his upcoming album The Time Manipulator. “It’s a concept album, kind of,” he says. “Every song is a nod to a different era.”

Above, watch the video to “Wish I Didn’t Need You,” available now on ReverbNation. Below, some of Blake McIver’s other music.